Live blog of first debate between President Obama and Mitt Romney

President Obama and Mitt Romney entered the final formative stage of their campaign tonight when they squared off in the first of three nationally televised debates.

The incumbent Democrat and his Republican challenger were meeting for 90 minutes at the University of Denver in a debate sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates. Jim Lehrer of PBS was the moderator. An audience of up to 50 million was expected to watch.

The debate was being shown live on network television and C-Span. Boston.com, BostonGlobe.com, and “Political Intelligence” offered this live blog to chronicle the pre-debate hype and debate itself.

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All three also offered contemporaneous fact-checking and analysis from Globe reporters expert in various fields, creating a unique “second-screen” experience for viewers seeking additional context for what they are seeing on TV.

The blog also served as a window into the debate to those not near a TV.

Obama and Romney also will debate on Oct. 16 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., and Oct. 22 at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla.

Vice President Joe Biden and Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan will have a single debate, on Oct. 11 at Centre College in Danville, Ky.

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10:34 p.m.—In uplifting moment, Romney introduces family members to president.

Romney then returns to his podium, gets his notes, and hands them to son Josh.

With that, the debate is over.

Thanks for logging onto this live blog.

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10:33 p.m.—Nearly three minutes over, the debate ends with another handshake at center stage, before candidates move to see their families. President shaking hands with and greeting Romney family.

9:51 p.m.—Lehrer asks, can we agree there is a difference in the approach to Medicare.

“Absolutely,” says Romney, as Obama says, “Yes.”

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9:48 p.m.—Lehrer asks Romney if he supports voucher program. Romney says he favors no changes for current recipients on near-retirees, but younger people would be offered choice between voucher or government program. He says he would personally favor voucher.

And Romney retorts that top Democrats have supported competition in Medicare world.

“I believe in competition,” says Romney.

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9:47 p.m.—“I don’t think vouchers are the right way to go,” says Obama, saying AARP agrees with him.

And he says “if you repeal Obamacare,” you will hike costs for seniors and benefit insurance companies.

9:43 p.m.—Romney says of Social Security, “Our seniors depend on these programs,” and “neither the president nor I” propose any changes for current retirees.

Then he corrects himself, saying Obama wants to cut $716 billion from Medicare by cutting rates paid to hospitals. Romney notes some hospitals and doctors say they won’t take more patient if that happens.

“I don’t understand how you can cut $716 billion for Medicare for current recipients of Medicare,” says Romney.

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9:41 p.m.—Lehrer shifts to third segment: entitlements. He asks Obama if there is a difference between them on Social Security.

President says they have same basic approach, and “tweaks” might be needed.

Obama then segues to talk about values behind program and Medicare, saying his own family could be independent because of that safety net. Not an entitlement, he says, but a guarantee.

President talks about educational investment, and plans to hire new teachers and invest in community colleges. Also says he wants to revamp tax code, while closing loopholes, and boost energy production.

“All of this is possible,” with deficit reduction and tax changes, says Obama, but Romney wants $5 trillion tax cut on top of Bush tax cut extensions and more military spending.

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9:07 p.m.—Romney jokes about Obama anniversary, joking president would probably not want to be anywhere else “but with me.”

But then, humanizing his approach, says his economic agenda is not about “top-down,” but job creation.

Then he ticks off his five-point job creation plan.

“I know what it takes to get small business growing again,” says Romney.

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9:05 p.m.—Obama says country is still hurting, but debate not about where we are, but where we’re going.

Says Romney wants to try old approaches, “double-down” on policies that created problem, or chart new course of investment.

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9:04 p.m.—Obama says Happy Anniversary to “sweetie” Michelle Obama, and promises that in a year, they will not celebrate “in front of 40 million people.”

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9:04 p.m.—Obama is at Stage Left. Romney at Stage Right.

“What are the major differences between the two of you about how you would go about creating jobs,” asks Lehrer.

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9:03—Obama and Romney enter and shake hands at center stage. The money shot. Obama will get the first question, the result of a draw.

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9:02 p.m.—After networks kick off their broadcasts, moderator Jim Lehrer opens the debate. He has been in his seat for several minutes after imploring the audience to be silent. The candidates are about to join him on stage.

8:48 p.m.—Ann Romney walks over to embrace Michelle Obama as they are introduced. Believe it is the first time they have met.

There is a sisterhood/brotherhood for candidate spouses, who endure plenty of angst in long race.

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8:46 p.m.—After instructions from debate organizers for audience to turn off cell phones, both Ann Romney and Michelle Obama have entered the debate hall and taken their seats.

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8:40 p.m.—The Romney campaign’s “body man,” candidate personal aide Garrett Jackson, is tweeting pictures of the governor at his hotel with grandkids this afternoon, riding to the debate with Ann as they hold hands, and, now, backstage watching the grandkids play “Jenga.”

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8:30 p.m.—The president has arrived at the debate hall.

And the Romney campaign is already e-mailing about its “rapid-response” site.

In fairness, the Obama campaign is up and running, too.

For those watching at home, consider this: Tonight is the 20th wedding anniversary for Barack and Michelle Obama.

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8:10 p.m.—The president is en route to the debate hall.

Per the White House pool report, “The pool heard cheers and chants of ‘four more years’ from a good size crowd opposite the hotel.”